Week 1 high school football predictions in Broward and Palm Beach counties

Sun Sentinel's Adam Lichtenstein and EmmaKate Austin preview week 1 of high school football season.

Football season is finally here.

Across the state, coaches will get their plans ready, and players will put their pads on for the first meaningful games this year.

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All games are Friday at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Chaminade-Madonna at McArthur

The Hollywood Bowl isn’t just a concert venue in California. There are superb matchups galore in this game. McArthur’s secondary, which features five-star sophomore safety Alfonzo Allen as well as several talented corners, will have to deal with Chaminade receivers Bralon Brown and Auburn commit Elijah Canion (if he’s healthy after sitting out the Kickoff Classic). Four-star Mustangs linebacker Ruben Hyppolite will lead McArthur’s attempt to stop Miami commit Thad Franklin in the run game. This game could be one of the best of the year, and we get to enjoy it in Week 1. Chaminade-Madonna 27, McArthur 24.

Deerfield Beach is ranked second in our Broward rankings and No. 1 in Class 8A in the Associated Press poll. Last week’s loss to Atlantic was just a preseason game. Saturday is when the Bucks can prove they deserve the hype. Deerfield rightfully has title aspirations, and a win against Carol City would show the Bucks mean business. Transfer quarterback Michael Pratt told reporters at Deerfield’s Kickoff Classic that he strained his abductor muscle and would miss several weeks, which means Derohn King will likely start for the Bucks. King is more than capable, and he led Deerfield to the state semis last year. A good performance from him means the Bucks likely go into Week 2 with a big win under their belts. Deerfield 28, Carol City 27.

Like the Bucks, the Raiders open the season on national television. Unlike Deerfield, St. Thomas will start a quarterback making his first varsity appearance. Sophomore Zion Turner gets the reigns to the Raiders’ offense, and he’ll be immediately thrown into the fire. Fortunately for him and St. Thomas, Turner has a stellar offensive line and playmakers to work with. USA Today ranked the Raiders No. 1 in the nation, citing the team’s abundance of talent. De La Salle is ranked 16th in the nation by MaxPreps, but it doesn’t have the superstar talent that St. Thomas has. According to 247Sports, De La Salle does not have a player in the top 200 in California in the 2020 class or in the top 79 (the number of players the site ranked for that class in California) in 2021. In comparison, the Raiders have nine of the top 200 seniors and four of the top ranked 2021 players in Florida. Talent doesn’t always equal a victory, but it doesn’t hurt. St. Thomas Aquinas 21, De La Salle 17.

There is not a whole lot better than a matchup of two state champions to start the year. Northwestern is the reigning Class 6A champs, while Cardinal Gibbons took home the 5A title. Both teams looked good in their preseason games. The Chiefs look to a new crew to lead them this year, including running back Tajae Davis, offensive lineman Gerald Mincey, athlete Majon Wright and more. The Bulls are ranked fourth in the state by MaxPreps and No. 1 in Class 5A in the AP poll, while the Chiefs are No. 3 in Class 4A. Northwestern 35, Cardinal Gibbons 27.

Atlantic is the most touted Palm Beach County school, earning the top spot in our rankings and the No. 5 position in Class 7A in the AP poll. The Eagles’ win over the Bucks in their Kickoff Classic shows they’re capable of playing with big-time teams. Palm Beach Central struggled mightily against Northwestern, so new coach Scottie Littles has a chance to turn things around with a statement win this week. Atlantic 30, Palm Beach Central 20.

University School at Pahokee, 6:30 p.m.

Two of the top small schools in South Florida face off in the Muck on Friday. U-School enters the game ranked second in Class 4A, while Pahokee is ranked second in Class 1A. The biggest battle will be in the trenches, as a Sharks offensive line led by star junior Marcus Tate faces a Latarie Kinsler-led defensive line. Whichever side wins there is in the driver’s seat. University School 28, Pahokee 21.

Wellington at Palm Beach Lakes, 6:30 p.m.

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Both of these teams can use this game to kickstart potentially strong seasons. Wellington coach Tom Abel has spoken highly of sophomore quarterback Blake Kendall and running back Lennori Williams, but Palm Beach Lakes may have one of Palm Beach County’s top defenses. Palm Beach Lakes 14, Wellington 13.

The Wildcats struggled in their Kickoff Classic against Miami Palmetto, but their defense looked phenomenal. Everglades is coming off a 4-6 season and is looking to improve, but Western is a tough team to start the season with. Western 28, Everglades 10.

Park Vista at Cardinal Newman

Friday’s game between the Crusders and Cobras will provide a good measuring stick to see where both teams are. Cardinal Newman won eight games last year, while Park Vista won seven. Dylan Lacroix and Cole Polnasek lead what should be a good Cobras defense, but Newman running back Chris D’Or is one of the more explosive players in the county. Cardinal Newman 21, Park Vista 20.

Santaluces finished at .500 for the first time since 2013, and this game will be a good opportunity for the Chiefs to build on that. Forest Hill is coming off an 8-2 season and narrowly missed the postseason, but the Falcons lost some key players to transfer, which could hamper them. Santaluces 17, Forest Hill 14.

Dillard at Piper

The Panthers are in a good position to give new coach Eddie Frasier his first career win. Dillard routed Fort Lauderdale in the preseason, and Piper suffered a blowout at the hands of Hialeah Champagnat. Dillard 35, Piper 14.